The Living West

All they ever wanted
Was not to have to fear
And not to have to move

When they didn’t want to,
If they didn’t want to,
Not to have to matter.

But with no threat of death
In the immediate
Sense, they were contented

To check into the cheap motel
That had nothing but clean
Sheets, air conditioning,

And a bolt for the door
To make them feel secure.
They didn’t watch TV.

The clock radio served
Well enough to read by.
When it wasn’t too hot,

They sat out by the pool.
The stucco was peeling,
And the concrete was cracked,

And the freight trains rattled
Over some unseen tracks.
They could see the mountains

Over the low rooftops,
And they had enough cash,
You know? They lived like that.